The Indian UAV manufacturer advances self-reliance with 70% localization and robust technology for diverse applications
In a significant achievement for India’s drone industry, ideaForge has crossed 550,000 successful UAV flights, with one of its drones taking off every four minutes. This milestone highlights ideaForge’s commitment to localizing drone technology and aligns with India’s aim to become a global drone hub by 2030. The company has localized nearly 70% of its critical drone components, marking substantial progress in indigenous production and technological independence.
Building a Strong Foundation for Self-Reliance
Since its founding, ideaForge has focused on developing homegrown solutions. In 2007, when India’s drone ecosystem lacked critical subsystems, ideaForge created its own autopilot system, preceding open-source systems like ArduPilot. The company’s commitment to building local technology has led to a robust stack of UAV systems, including custom payloads, communications, and embedded systems tailored for defense, military, and surveillance purposes.
The company avoids sourcing intelligent components from countries of concern to maintain a secure and reliable supply chain. Its technology portfolio includes a range of UAVs, from fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones to drones designed for traffic monitoring.
Wide-Ranging Applications for Public and Private Sectors
ideaForge UAVs are deployed in diverse settings, from border security and wildlife conservation to mining and industrial mapping. Recently, the company introduced new service models, such as the FLYGHT Drone-as-a-Service for traffic monitoring and public safety. It has also developed drones specifically for volumetric estimation in mining and surveillance of critical infrastructure.
Support from India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme has further strengthened ideaForge’s R&D and manufacturing capabilities. This initiative aligns with India’s Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) mission, helping the company reduce reliance on imports and contribute to building a domestic ecosystem for drone manufacturing. ideaForge’s technology base includes 78 patents in UAV payloads, communication systems, and hybrid fixed-wing drones, among other advancements.
Focused Investment in Innovation
ideaForge allocates around 22% of its annual revenue to product and technology development. Additionally, half of its workforce is dedicated to advancing its UAV systems, covering hardware, software, and autopilot technology. The company’s in-house capabilities span a broad range of technology, from control systems and zoom payloads to customized drones for GIS mapping and volumetric surveys used in sectors such as mining, forestry, and border security.
As ideaForge drives forward with its UAV development, it reinforces its commitment to innovation, security, and scalability. The company’s work contributes to empowering India’s civil, defense, and industrial sectors with reliable drone technology.
For more information on ideaForge’s UAV technology and ongoing projects, visit www.ideaforgetech.com
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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